TQM report,
Rotarian Joseph Oluwasesan Bulugbe (ESQ), the outgoing General Secretary of the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) Ogun State Chapter have declared his intention to vie for the position of the Chairman of the Chapter.
With over two decades of experience in people and organizational management, he is convinced that he will take the Association to greater heights. Having served the Association as the General Secretary for four (4) years now, he have learnt and understood the workings of the Association as well as its structures and mode of operation.
He understands where they are presently and believes there is always room for growth. It is his dream that “OgunNAB” under his leadership to become a chapter that will stand out among other chapters in the country
If elected as the Chairman of this Association, He has articulated his plans to achieve the following goals to make “OgunNAB”, a chapter that all other chapters in Nigeria would emulate:
- Education of our youth: We are all aware that the future of every nation, body or organization is dependent on how the young generation is taken care of. If we are unable to create a conducive environment for our young people to thrive, our Chapter, which we have labored and invested so much effort, time and finance on, will remain a shadow of its former self. We have too many youths with rare potentials for such to happen and we must do all we can to prevent such occurrence. One sure way to do this is by ensuring that our youth get a quality education. B.B Kings said “the beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it from you.” I agree with this assertion; when we educate our youths we give them a tool that stays with them for life. Our administration will liaise with the Ogun State government to ensure that our visually impaired students in secondary schools across the State get free quality Education like their counterparts in other states like Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, etc.
- We will equally work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the education received by blind youths at all levels reflect today’s move to learning that is grounded in science and technology. This way, our youths will not only go to school but are better prepared for the workplace and business environment of the future.
- Resuscitation of our Women Wing: It is no news that the Women Wing of “OgunNAB” is in a comatose state. This has gone on long enough. We have an all-inclusive structure that recognizes every member of this Association. The men are important, so are the women; the youth and our children, we all make up the engine room of this body. In light of this knowledge, we will work hand in hand with the Women Leader of the Association to bring back the lost glory of this integral body of our dear Chapter.
Our administration will reach out to government parastatals and private bodies alike to join hands with us and develop empowerment programs that give our women practical skills that are useful to them, their families and the society in general. We will develop a policy that will protect our women from all forms of gender-based discrimination including but not limited to domestic violence. We will ensure that our women are empowered, accorded a respectful position in the affairs of this chapter and guaranteed a voice in issues that pertain to them. - Provision for the elderly: Old age is a blessing, we all desire to grow old. Therefore, we must start creating structures that cater for the elderly, because we all stand to benefit from every good project this Association invests in today. The elderly are an important unit of our body, we cannot in good faith neglect them. As an association, we will see to it that issues bothering on the welfare of these old men and women of our Association are prioritized. Extra consideration will be given to their welfare.
- Expansion to other local governments: Presently, we have chapters in 12 out of the 20 local governments in Ogun State. Our administration would ensure that chapters are established in other local governments in the State. In doing this, we will carry out strategic campaigns to create awareness in all areas we are yet to have setups in. These campaigns will involve activities such as public speaking, announcements via the radio, door to door movements all through the local governments we are yet to have residence in. We will share the good news of our association and the benefits therein.
- Development of a Members’ Database: Our administration will set up a comprehensive database containing the information of all of our members. This database will contain relevant information such as names, gender, phone number, address, occupation, age, religion, etc. By so doing, we will create a structure that will serve us better with information. We desire to have an association where every member is known and catered for. This database will be a fountain of information we can use to keep track of our members, be aware of their well-being, and also follow up on them whenever there is a need.
- Enactment of the disability law in Ogun: As we have Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 enacted by the Federal Government and similar law in states such as Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Cross River, Delta and Anambra which provides for the Education, health care, social, economic and civil rights of persons with disabilities, our administration plans on working with the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities(JONAPWD) and other relevant organizations to ensure that Ogun State Government does the needful by passing the Disability Bill into law so that we the citizens with disabilities of our dear State will also enjoy all the rights therein. We know these things are possible and can be done. It is our right and we should not be deprived of what is fundamentally ours. We can no longer continue to suffer deprivation.
- Calling Back of Aggrieved Members: we know quite well that as humans, from time to time we will experience conflicts of interests. Conflict is part of human society but the management of these conflicts says a lot about the individuals and the structure within which they exist. Some of our members have left the Association for various reasons; some probably felt marginalized, their voices were not heard or the modus operandi just had no place for them. One of the major things our administration will focus on is membership drive. Every one of us has a place here and we deserve to be here; no individual is more important than the other. For our aggrieved members, we will make sure we reach out to them, mend broken ties and bring them back to our Association. Also, for the prevention of such issues in the future, we will establish a conflict resolution team. We will also ensure that we have transparency and flexibility in our dealings as an association, members will be encouraged to air their opinions. We urge every one of us to look out for one and other.
- Employment: We can’t have our members go through the strenuous process of getting themselves educated from secondary school, through the higher institutions and still have to sit back because there are no jobs. This is an error which our administration seeks to correct; as an association, we will rectify this issue by lobbying Ogun State Civil Service Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Private organizations and other relevant bodies to ensure that our graduates are duly employed and they also enjoy the full privileges that come with their jobs. We cannot continue to watch our competent youth waste away. For our members who have no formal Education, we will encourage such members to acquire vocational skills that will enable them fit into the society. Such members will be given priority in our empowerment programs.
- Regular training for members: Our administration will ensure that our members get frequent professional trainings that will help them fit into society. Trainings will be done on ICT, office management, skill acquisition etc.
It is expedient we do not forget that as a body we have values, this Association from its inception in 1968 has moved in unity, dedication and integrity. These values need to be taught regularly. Even as we proceed, we must remind ourselves as a body what we stand for and what is important. - A Physical Office: Our Association currently does not have a physical office and this is another important project our administration will facilitate. A physical office will provide a safe space for our members, where they can go to sort out issues. A physical space will also help keep our assets safe. This we plan to execute within our first year in office.
I know “OgunNAB” is an extraordinary place, a body where a lot of things are possible. We must never forget that in making this place better we are creating safer conditions and systems for ourselves. By our collective efforts we can make “OgunNAB” much better. As chairman, I am ready to give my resources, time and finance into ensuring that our Association becomes excellent. I will continue to advocate for progress and peace.
I cannot do all these alone. Neither can I do any of them without your support, endorsement and partnership. I therefore seek your vote as your Chairman and Chief Servant for the next four years to pilot the affairs of our dear Chapter. With your support, endorsement and vote, I know we can.
“I remain my humble self, Rotarian Joseph Oluwasesan Bulugbe, the right man for this job. God bless us, God bless NAB, God bless Ogun State and God bless Nigeria. Thank you.
OgunNAB!!!!!! One Love”.
